By Peggy Tartaro
Proof
that women's involvement in the shooting sports and gun owners'
rights is not a new phenomenon stepped up to the dais of the Fairmont
Hotel in Dallas, and accepted roses and a standing ovation from
over 400 people for a lifetime of dedication.
Alice H. Bull, of Seattle, WA, was presented the National Rifle
Association (NRA) 1996 Sybil Ludington Women's Freedom Award for
outstanding performance in the shooting sports, dedication to
the protection of the Second Amendment, volunteerism, and contri
butions to advance the purposes and goals of the NRA at the Association's
Awards Lun cheon in conjunction with their annual meetings and
exhibits.
Competitive Career
Mrs. Bull's stellar career as a competitive shooter began as a
member of the University of Washington's women's rifle team. Since
then she has accumulated many state, re gional, and national titles
for her shooting prowess, including becoming a four-time holder
of the National Women's High Power Rifle Championship and winning
the coveted Department of Defense Distinguished Rifleman's Badge.
In a manner matched by few, she has tirelessly given of her time
and talent. Mrs. Bull organized the Greater Seattle Shooter's
Council in order to teach marksmanship skills to civilians and
pre-inductees of the Korean War era. She later became the first
woman appointed to the National Board for the Promotion of Rifle
Practice.
Many Firsts
As the first woman to serve as the President of Washington State
Rifle and Pistol Asso ciation, Mrs. Bull distinguished herself
in the fight against anti-gun initiatives and pioneered legislation
that required hunter education and sound wildlife management practices.
The first woman in the history of the NRA to be elected to the
Board of Directors, her leadership included chairing the Competition
rules and Programs Committee to serving on the Executive Council.
In appreciation of her lifetime of service to the Association,
the NRA Board of Direc tors unanimously elected Alice H. Bull
to Honorary Life Membership in 1981 a status accorded to only
fifteen people in the history of the Association.
Last year, the Sybil Ludington Women's Freedom Award was presented
for the first time to Marion Hammer of Florida, the Association's
new president. The Women's Freedom Award is given by the NRA's
Women's Policies Committee, and is named afetr Revolutionary War
figure Sybil Ludington, whose "Paul Revere"-style ride
through the Connecticut country side helped warn colonists of
the British Army's approach.
